Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Flawless on Day One
5/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
May 24, 2004
ATHENS, Ga.--Third-ranked Cristelle Grier (Epsom, England/Putney) and No. 44 Jessica Rush (Dallas, Texas/The Hockaday School) started their week off on the right foot when they notched victories in the first round of the NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga.
"Cristelle and Jessica did a great job today of staying focused and playing strong tennis," head coach Claire Pollard said. "They will be tough to beat if they keep their level of play high throughout the tournament."
Even with a two-hour delay due to long matches in the morning, the Wildcats were not fazed. Eighth-seeded Grier (38-4) knocked down Stanford's 56th-ranked Lauren Barnikow 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the Round of 32. There, Grier will meet North Carolina's 21st-ranked Aniela Mojzis, whom the sophomore defeated 6-3, 6-2 in February.
Rush (34-9), meanwhile, upended UCLA's18th-ranked Jackie Carleton, seeded No. 9-16, 6-4, 6-3 for her first-ever singles win in the individual tournament. Her next opponent will be Brigham Young's 36th-ranked Barbara Zahnova, who is unseeded.
Also on Tuesday, Grier and Rush, ranked No. 3 and seeded fifth, will begin doubles action against Georgia's 12th-ranked Agata Cioroch and Shadisha Robinson in the Round of 32.
Times for tomorrow's singles and doubles matches have not yet been determined.
